A MAN took “pot shots” at a neighbour’s car with an air rifle following a dispute over a disabled parking bay.

Blackburn magistrates heard two police officers attending the incident were assaulted by Dean Michael Berresford and his cousin Gary Waring.

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Berresford, 41, of Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, admitted criminal damage to a Citroen belonging to Robert Cox, assaulting a police officer and firing an air rifle beyond the boundary of his premises. He was bailed until February 18 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Waring, 38, of Mayfield Flats, Darwen, admitted police assault. He was fined £50 with £105 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said there had been a long-running dispute between Mr Cox and Berresford over a disabled parking bay. She said Berresford’s mother is confined to a wheelchair and he is her carer.

Miss Akhtar said: “Mr Cox is also disabled and entitled to use the parking bay. On the day of this incident, Mr Cox parked in the bay and Berresford blocked him in. There was an argument and Mr Cox called the police.”

When officers arrived they could see a number of dents in the bodywork of Mr Cox’s car.

Officers went into Berresford’s flat where he and Waring, who had clearly both been drinking, began pushing them back down the stairs saying they could not come in without a warrant. Miss Akhtar said: “There was a struggle and they were both handcuffed.”

Peter King, defending, said when police entered the flat, Waring was asleep. Mr King said: “He was unaware that his cousin had been taking pot shots at Mr Cox’s car.

He said Berresford is the sole carer for his disabled mother who lives in the flat below. She was awarded a disabled parking bay.

Mr King said: “Mr Cox moved in about six months ago. He does not appear to be disabled but has a tendency to park in the disabled bay. There has been an ongoing issue about where he parks.”

Berresford had been drinking but was careful to only take shots at the car when there was nobody around, said Mr King.